Monday, 15 February 2016

A Dangerous Road

William Wood

The murder of William Wood in July 1823 is well recorded. He was killed
at a lonely spot on Buxton Old Road at Longside on Whaley Moor. This is
the old roman road between Disley and Whaley Bridge and at that time was
in Cheshire. The spot is marked by a commemorative "Murder Stone".

Wood, a cotton weaver from Eyam, was returning home from Manchester
where he had sold his cloth and had received about £100 in payment. He
travelled on foot and at Disley, called at a pub for refreshment. He got
into conversation with three men and later continued on his way. After
about ten minutes, the three left the pub and followed in Wood's
direction catching up with him after a mile or two. Wood was beaten to
death with stones and left at the roadside where his partly concealed
body was later discovered. Wood's body was taken to the Cock Inn in
Whaley Bridge where the coroners inquest was held a few days later.

The following day, three men appeared in Macclesfield where they bought
new sets of clothes and gave away their old outfits. When news of the
murder reached the town, suspicions were raised but the three had
already left for Manchester by coach. When the old clothes were examined
they were found to be stained with blood. The police followed to
Manchester where one of the men was arrested in a public house. His
companions had already left and there was no further trace of them. The
arrested assailant was Charles Taylor, 17 years of age. He committed
suicide at the New Bailey Prison in Salford. His companions, of a
similar age were known to the authorities, having only recently been
released from a term of imprisonment.

The New Bailey Prison

Taylor
had left prison just a day before the murder. On 12th August of 1823
it was reported that Joseph Dale had been arrested in Liverpool whilst
trying to enlist on a ship. On 24th April 1824, Dale was sentenced to
death and was hanged on the following Wednesday. The third man was named
as John Platt but it seems that he was never apprehended.

James (or John) Ellis

Just three years later, at almost the same spot, history was almost repeated.

John Ellis of Parwich near Ashbourne was on his way to visit his
brother in Gorton to whom he was carrying a bundle of clothes. He spent
the night at the White Horse in Horwich End.

Another man, calling himself Michael
Murray had also spent the night at the inn. Murray was described as
being about 30 years of age with a thin face, dark hair and whiskers.
Setting out the next day, Ellis saw that Murray was sitting on a wall at
the roadside.. Murray changed the clogs that he wore for shoes and
joined Ellis on the road towards Disley. On reaching a lonely part of
the road Ellis was hit with a blackthorn stick that Murray carried and
beaten until defenceless. This assault took place at Longside on Whaley
Moor very close to the spot where William Wood had been murdered in
similar circumstances just three years before. His pockets were rifled
for a silver watch and a few shillings and a bundle containing a
waistcoat, shirt and stockings, tied in a plaid handkerchief was taken.

A description of the robber and of the stolen items was sent by Mr
Newton, the Whaley Bridge magistrate to police in Liverpool and a notice
was given to several pawnbrokers in the City. A few days later, a man
answering the description of the robber presented a silver watch to Mrs
Fox, pawnbroker in St Thomas's buildings. Mr Miller, the
Superintendant of Police was immediately informed and Murray taken into
custody.

Ellis had been taken to Disley where he lay in a state of imminent
danger. The prisoner was brought before him and unable to speak, he
indicated by gestures that Murray was the perpetrator of the crime.
Seeing no chance of escape, the prisoner said "Yes I am the man that did
it and I am very sorry for it now" He offered to shake Ellis by the
hand but the gesture was declined.

The prisoner was taken to Stockport and later committed for trial at
Chester Castle. He gave his real name as Philip McGoveron, an Irishman

About The Society

We research and record Furness Vale's past. An archive of documents, maps and photographs is maintained by Chairman George Tomlinson, a product of many years research. We hold meetings on the first Tuesday of each month except July and August. A guest speaker usually presents an illustrated talk of local or regional interest. Membership is available at an annual fee of £5.
For further information contact David Easton 01663 744080 furnesshistory@gmail.com